Slewing bearing with sealing arrangement

ABSTRACT

A slewing bearing including a first ring, a second ring, the first and second rings being in relative rotation around a rotation axis, at least one row of rolling elements arranged between the rings, and at least one seal mounted in a circumferential groove of first ring. A cap is fixed to the first ring and provides a cap sealing member having an annular heel mounted in an circumferential slot formed on a frontal surface of cap, and a sealing lip projecting from the heel and towards the second ring. The sealing lip has a free end in sliding frictional contact with part of the second ring.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims priority to German patent application no. 102018206244.7 filed on Apr. 24, 2018 and to German patent application no. 102018213356.5 filed on Aug. 8, 2018, the contents of which are both fully incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The invention relates to the field of roller bearings. More particularly, the invention relates to the slewing bearings of large diameter for use in marine applications, for example a tidal power station.

BACKGROUND

Such bearings generally comprise an inner ring, an outer ring, and seals disposed between the rings to define a closed annular space within which at least one row of rolling elements, such as balls or rollers, is arranged between the rings.

Slewing bearings are used in aggressive environments, in particular in marine applications. Seals prevent exterior elements, such as dust, abrasive particles, water, and marine species, for example plankton and algae, from getting inside the bearing and damaging its components. Particles mays also go inside the seal itself, and then reduce the seal service life.

Typically, seals are fixed to one of the rings and comprise a sealing lip in sliding contact with the other ring. Generally, a plurality of adjacent seals are provided on bearing front side that is directly in contact with water. Advantageously, the lips of adjacent seals may be oriented in different directions.

However, the sealing of such bearings, realized in this way, may be insufficient particularly for use in a submersible machine. Indeed, the first seal is only the first damaged before the others. The more seals, the more expensive the slewing bearing. The total weight of such sealed bearings is increased, that could be a drawback for some applications.

Another disadvantage is that the seal cannot be changed under water. Such maintenance operations are expensive and require the submersible machine to be shut down frequently and for a long period of time.

It is therefore desirable that a slewing bearing comprises effective sealing elements that prevent the entry of exterior element, of increased service life, particularly in aggressive environment, and easy to implement.

SUMMARY

The aim of the invention is to solve the above difficulties.

To this end, the invention relates to a slewing bearing comprising a first ring, a second ring, the rings being in relative rotation around a rotation axis, and at least one row of rolling elements arranged between the rings. The slewing bearing comprises at least one seal having an annular heel mounted in a circumferential groove provided on the first ring, and a sealing lip in sliding frictional contact with part of the second ring. The circumferential groove opens towards the second ring, and is bounded between a shoulder and a cap, the cap being fixed to the first ring by fixing means.

According to the invention, the cap comprises a cap sealing member. The cap sealing member has an annular heel mounted in a circumferential slot formed on a frontal surface of cap, and a sealing lip projecting from the heel and towards the second ring. The sealing lip has a free end in sliding frictional contact with part of the second ring.

According to further aspects of the invention which are advantageous but not compulsory, such a slewing bearing may incorporate one or several of the following features:

The shoulder of circumferential groove is provided with an annular axial collar that blocks the annular heel of the seal adjacent to the shoulder.

The cap is provided with an annular axial collar that blocks the annular heel of the seal adjacent to the cap.

The heel of the cap sealing member is provided with at least one through hole.

The sealing lip of the cap sealing member is in sliding frictional contact against a lateral surface of second ring.

The second ring is provided with a sealing contact member having a surface onto which the sealing lip of the outer sealing member is in sliding frictional contact, the sealing contact member being fixed to a lateral surface of second ring.

The sealing contact member is fixed to the second ring by a plurality of screws.

The cap is fixed to the first ring by a plurality of screws.

Screws are covered by mastic.

The first ring is an outer ring and the second ring is an inner ring.

Slewing bearing comprises at least one row of rolling elements arranged between the first and second rings to form an axial thrust.

Slewing bearing comprises at least one row of rolling elements arranged between the first and second rings to form a radial thrust.

Rolling elements are balls.

Rolling elements are rollers.

Rolling elements are circumferentially maintained by a cage.

Rolling elements are circumferentially maintained by spacers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be explained in correspondence with the annexed figures, as illustrative examples, without restricting the object of the invention. In the annexed figures:

FIG. 1 is a partial view in axial section of a slewing bearing according to the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a detail view in axial section of the slewing bearing of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a slewing roller bearing, which bears the overall reference 1, with a large diameter which can be used in particular in marine applications, for example a tidal power station. The slewing bearing defines an upper side Cu directly exposed to the marine environment, and a lower side C1 arranged in a chassis (not illustrated).

The slewing roller bearing 1 comprises an inner ring 2, an outer ring 3, two rows of rolling elements 4, 5 arranged between these rings 2, 3 in order to form a radial thrust which can transmit radial forces.

The rolling elements 4, 5 are balls in the illustrated embodiment. The rolling elements may be of any other suitable type for the application, for example rollers. The first row of balls 4 are engaged in ring raceways 6, 7 provided on inner ring 2 and outer ring 3, respectively. The second row of balls 5 are engaged in ring raceways 8, 9 provided on inner ring 2 and outer ring 3, respectively.

The balls 4 of first row are arranged in a first cage 10 for maintaining the regular circumferential spacing of the balls. The balls 5 of second row are arranged in a second cage 11 for maintaining the regular circumferential spacing of the balls. Alternatively, the rolling elements may be circumferentially equally spaced by a plurality of intermediate spacers.

As an alternate not shown, the slewing bearing may also comprise at least one row of rolling elements, for example rollers, arranged between the inner and outer rings to form an axial thrust which can transmit axial forces. An example of such bearing is described in FR-A1-2 694 610.

The inner ring 2 and the outer ring 3 are in the form of concentric rings being rotatable around a rotation axis (not illustrated) of the bearing 1, the outer ring 3 surrounding at a radial distance the inner ring 2.

The rings 2, 3 are of solid type. A “solid type” is understood to mean a ring of which the shape is obtained by machining with the removal of chips (turning, grinding) from tubes, bars, and forged and/or rolled blanks. The rings 2, 3 are formed in one piece, but alternatively may comprise several ring parts assembled together.

The outer ring 3 comprises an outer frontal surface 12 bounded axially by a lower lateral surface 13 on lower side C1, and an upper lateral surface 14 on upper side Cu of slewing bearing 1. The lateral surfaces 13, 14 are axially opposite one to the other. The outer ring 3 also comprises a bore 15. The bore 15 is stepped and is provided with two grooves 7, 9 radially open to the inner ring 2. The grooves 7, 9 are the ring raceways for the first row of balls 4 and the second row of balls 5, respectively.

Advantageously, the outer surfaces 12 and 14 of outer ring 3 are covered by a corrosion surface protective treatment.

The inner ring 2 comprises a bore 16 provided with a plurality of radial teeth 17 that are intended to mesh with gearwheels (not illustrated) in order to orient a mobile element. The bore 16 is bounded axially by a lower lateral surface 18 on lower side C1, and an upper lateral surface 19 on upper side Cu of slewing bearing 1. The lateral surfaces 18, 19 are axially opposite one to the other.

The inner ring 2 also comprises an outer frontal surface 20. The outer surface 20 is stepped and is provided with two grooves 6, 8 radially open to the outer ring 3 are formed. The grooves 6, 8 are the ring raceways for the first row of balls 4 and the second row of balls 5, respectively.

The outer frontal surface 20 is further provided with a circumferential groove 21 open radially towards the outer ring 3. The groove is axially bounded between a shoulder 22 towards the lower side C1, and a cap 23 towards the upper side Cu of bearing 1. The shoulder 22 is formed when removing material on the outer frontal surface 20 of inner ring 2.

The cap 23 is fixed to the inner ring 2 by fixing means. Upper lateral surface 19 is provided with a circumferential recess 24 wherein the cap 23 is arranged. In the illustrated embodiment, the circumferential recess 24 is provided circumferentially with a plurality of axial threaded holes (not referenced). The cap 23 is provided with a plurality of axial through holes (not referenced), each of the holes axially facing a corresponding threaded hole. The cap 23 is fixed to the inner ring 2 by a plurality of screws (not referenced) extending through the cap holes and engaged with the threaded holes of inner ring 2. Advantageously, the heads of screws are covered by mastic in order to resist to the subsea environment. Alternatively, the cap 23 may be fixed to the inner ring 2 by any other suitable means.

The cap 23 is annular. Alternatively, the cap 23 may comprise a plurality of circumferentially adjacent cap parts.

Upper seals 25, 26, 27, 28 are mounted in the circumferential groove 21. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, the inner ring 2 is provided with four upper seals. Alternatively, the inner ring 2 may comprise two, or more than two upper seals. The seals 25, 26, 27, 28 may be made of elastomeric material, for example nitrile rubber. The seals 25, 26, 27, 28 are intended to limit the infiltration of liquids, particles and dust from the subsea environment between the inner ring 2 and the outer ring 3.

Upper seals 25, 26, 27, 28 are each provided with an annular heel 25 a, 26 a, 27 a, 28 a mounted in the groove 21, and a sealing lip 25 b, 26 b, 27 b, 28 b that radially outwardly extends from the heel towards the outer ring 3.

The shoulder 22 is provided with an annular axial collar 29 that radially blocks the annular heel 25 a of the lowermost seal 25 in a radially outwards direction. The cap 23 is also provided with an annular axial collar 30 that radially blocks the annular heel 28 a of the uppermost seal 28 in a radially outwards direction.

The sealing lips 25 b, 26 b, 27 b, 28 b project radially outwardly offset with respect to the outer frontal surface 20 of inner ring 2 in which the circumferential groove 21 is formed. Furthermore, the sealing lips 25 b, 26 b, 27 b, 28 b project radially outwardly offset with respect to the cap 23. The sealing lips 25 b, 26 b, 27 b, 28 b are flexible in the radial direction. Advantageously, the sealing lips 25 b, 26 b, 27 b, 28 b extend obliquely with respect to a radial plane. Advantageously, the lowermost seal 25 is provided with a sealing lip 25 b that is oriented opposite to that of the other uppermost seals 26, 27, 28.

The sealing lip 25 b is elastically deformed and in sliding contact with a sliding contact surface provided to the bore 15 of outer ring 3.

The sealing lips 26 b, 27 b, 28 b are elastically deformed and in sliding contact with a sliding contact surface provided to the bore 32 of an annular sealing contact member 31 mounted onto the upper surface 14 of outer ring 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper surface 14 is provided circumferentially with a plurality of axial threaded holes (not referenced). The sealing contact member 31 is provided with a plurality of axial through holes (not referenced), each of the holes axially facing a corresponding threaded hole. The sealing contact member 31 is fixed to the outer ring 3 by a plurality of screws (not referenced) extending through the cap holes and engaged with the threaded holes of outer ring 3. Advantageously, the heads of screws are covered by mastic in order to resist to the subsea environment. Alternatively, the sealing contact member 31 may be fixed to the outer ring 3 by any other suitable means.

The sealing contact member 31 is annular. Alternatively, the sealing contact member 31 may comprise a plurality of circumferentially adjacent parts. Alternatively, the sealing lips 26 b, 27 b, 28 b are elastically deformed and in sliding contact with a sealing contact surface provided to the bore 15 of the outer ring 3. Alternatively, the sealing 25 b is elastically deformed and in sliding contact with the sealing contact member 31.

The sealing lips 25 b, 26 b, 27 b 28 b provide a dynamic sealing function with the outer ring 3. The expression “dynamic sealing” is understood to mean sealing between two parts that move relative to the other. The lips 26 b, 27 b, 28 b come into sliding frictional contact with a sealing contact surface of the sealing contact member 31 mounted to the outer ring 3, and the lip 25 b come into a frictional contact with a sealing contact surface provided to the bore 15 of outer ring 3. The lips thus have an area of contact with the outer ring 3 and the sealing contact member 31 securely fixed to the outer ring 3. The frictional contact between the lips and the sealing contact surfaces are radial.

The free ends of lips advantageously have a triangular shape in cross section in order to limit the friction between the seals 25, 26, 27, 28 and the outer ring 3 and the sealing contact member 31.

According to the invention, the cap 23 is further provided with a cap sealing member 33. The cap sealing member 33 comprises an annular heel 33 a mounted in a circumferential slot 34 formed in a bore of cap 23, and a sealing lip 33 b projecting radially inwardly towards the outer ring 3. The sealing lip 33 b has a free end in sliding frictional contact with a sealing contact surface provided to an upper surface of sealing contact member 31. The sealing lip 33 b provide a dynamic sealing function with the sealing contact member 31 fixed to the outer ring 3. The contact between the sealing lip 33 b and the member 31 is axial in this case.

Advantageously, the heel 33 a of cap sealing member 33 is provided with at least one through hole 33 c in order to equilibrate the pressure between the sea water and the inner side of slewing bearing 1. The aim of the cap sealing member 33 is not to prevent the entry of sea water, the seals 25 to 28 having this function. The cap sealing member 33 blocks the entry of abrasive particles and marine species, for example plankton and algae. The cap sealing member 33 permits to protect and then increase the service life of the innermost seals 25 to 28.

The slewing bearing 1 further comprises a lower seal 35 on lower side C1. The lower seal 35 is axially opposite to upper seals 25, 26, 27, 28 and to the cap sealing member 33. The inner seal 35 comprises an annular heel 35 a mounted in a circumferential slot 36 formed in the outer surface 20 of inner ring 2, and a sealing lip 35 b projecting radially inwardly towards the outer ring 3. The sealing lip 35 b has a free end in sliding frictional contact with a sealing contact surface provided to the bore 15 of outer ring 3. The contact between the sealing lip 35 b and the outer ring 2 is radial in this case. Alternatively, the lower seal 35 may be mounted in the outer ring 3.

The seals 25 and 35 define an annular closed chamber 37 between the inner ring 2 and the outer ring 3 within which the rows of balls 4, 5 are arranged. Advantageously, the closed annular chamber 37 is provided with lubricant. The innermost seal 25 permits to prevent grease leakage. The two outermost seals 27, 28 prevent the intrusion of external contaminating particles, dust, and liquids. The intermediate seal 26 forms a back-up seal in case of damage on one of the seals 25, 27, 28.

A first and a second guiding rings 38, 39 are arranged in the circumferential groove 21. The guiding rings 38, 39 are annular. The first guiding ring 38 is axially mounted between the annular heels 26 a, 27 a of seals 26, 27, respectively. The second guiding ring 39 is axially mounted between the annular heels 27 a, 28 a of seals 27, 28, respectively.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the two guiding rings 38, 39 are similar.

The first guiding ring 38 comprises a flange 38 a that radially outwardly projects towards the outer ring 3. The flange 38 a extends obliquely and is provided with a support surface inclined in the same direction as the sealing lip 27 b of the third upper seal 27 in order to prevent any reversion of the sealing lip 27.

The guiding ring 38 further comprises an annular axial collar 38 b that radially block the annular heel 26 a of a second upper seal 26 in a radial outwards direction. The heels 25 a, 26 a of the axially adjacent seals 25, 26 are axially maintained between the shoulder 22 provided to the outer surface 20 of inner ring 2 and the guiding ring 38. Furthermore, the the heel 25 a is radially maintained between the axial collar 29 and the bottom surface of groove 21 of inner ring 2, and the heel 25 b is radially maintained between the axial collar 38 b of guiding ring 38 and the bottom surface of groove 21 of inner ring 2.

The second guiding ring 39 comprises a flange 39 a that radially outwardly projects towards the outer ring 3. The flange 39 a extends obliquely and is provided with a support surface inclined in the same direction as the sealing lip 28 b of the uppermost seal 28 in order to prevent any reversion of the sealing lip 28.

The guiding ring 39 further comprises an annular axial collar 39 b that radially block the annular heel 27 a of a third upper seal 27 in a radial outwards direction. The heel 27 a of seal 27 is axially maintained between the first and second guiding rings 38, 39. Furthermore, the heel 27 a is radially maintained between the axial collar 39 b of second guiding ring 39 and the bottom surface of groove 21 of inner ring 2. The heel 28 a of seal 28 is axially maintained between the second guiding ring 39 and the cap 23. Furthermore, the heel 28 a is radially maintained between the axial collar 30 of cap 23 and the bottom surface of groove 21 of inner ring 2.

The sealing assembly formed by the cap 23, the seals 25, 26, 27, 28, and the guiding rings 38, 39 are maintained axially and radially with respect to the inner ring 2. Moreover, these elements are easy to be axially installed during assembly of the slewing bearing. These elements are also easy to be removed and replaced by new elements during a maintenance operation.

Alternatively, the slewing bearing 1 may comprise only the three seals 25, 26, 27 and one guiding ring 38. Alternatively, the slewing bearing 1 may comprise more than four seals, guiding rings being provided between two adjacent seals with oblique lips having the same orientation.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the first guiding ring 38 is further provided with a through hole 38 c. The through hole 38 c is radially open on one side towards the outer ring 3, and on the opposite side towards a leakage channel 40 provided through the inner ring 2. The leakage channel 40 radially opens to the bottom surface of groove 21 provided to the outer surface 20 of inner ring 2. The channel defined by the leakage channel connected to the through holes 38 c is open between the seals 26 and 27. The entry of pollution in this channel indicates that the seals 27 and 28 are worn and do not ensure their sealing function anymore. A maintenance operation of the slewing bearing 1 is then necessary. The channel 40 may be provided with sensors to detect such pollution and warn.

This invention provides a slewing bearing that is able to ensure the relative rotation between a first ring and a second ring, the bearing having improved sealing by virtue of the use of sealing means comprising the upper seals mounted and the guiding rings mounted on one of the rings. Such sealing means are able to seal the space between the first and second rings by sliding frictional seal in order to limit the intrusion of contaminating particles and liquids in the direction of rolling elements and guarantees a longer service life. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A slewing bearing comprising: a first ring including a circumferential groove having a first end and a second end, a second ring mounted coaxially relative to the first ring, at least one row of rolling elements arranged between the first ring and the second ring to support the first ring for rotation relative to the second ring, and at least one seal having an annular heel mounted in the circumferential groove and a sealing lip in sliding frictional contact with a first part of the second ring, the circumferential groove opening towards the second ring and including a shoulder at the first end and a cap at the second end, the cap being fixed to the first ring by fixing means, wherein the cap includes a cap sealing member having an annular heel mounted in a circumferential slot formed on a frontal surface of cap and a sealing lip projecting from the heel towards the second ring, the sealing lip having a free end in sliding frictional contact with a second part of the second ring, and wherein the heel of the cap sealing member is provided with at least one through hole.
 2. The slewing bearing according to claim 1, wherein the sealing lip of the cap sealing member is in sliding frictional contact against a lateral surface of second ring.
 3. The slewing bearing according to claim 1, wherein the second ring includes a sealing contact member having a surface onto which the sealing lip of the cap sealing member is in sliding frictional contact, the sealing contact member being fixed to a lateral surface of second ring.
 4. The slewing bearing according to the claim 3, wherein the sealing contact member is fixed to the second ring by a plurality of screws.
 5. The slewing bearing according to claim 4, wherein the screws are covered by mastic.
 6. The slewing bearing according to claim 1, wherein the fixing means comprises a plurality of screws.
 7. The slewing bearing according to claim 1, wherein the fixing means comprise threaded fasteners.
 8. The slewing bearing according to claim 1, wherein the at least one seal comprises a first seal adjacent the cap, and wherein the cap is provided with an annular axial collar that blocks the annular heel of the first seal.
 9. The slewing bearing according to claim 1, wherein the at least one seal comprises a first seal adjacent the shoulder of the circumferential groove, and wherein the shoulder includes an annular axial collar that blocks the annular heel of the first seal.
 10. The slewing bearing according to claim 9, wherein the at least one seal comprises a second seal adjacent the cap, and wherein the cap is provided with an annular axial collar that blocks the annular heel of the second seal.
 11. The slewing bearing according to claim 10, wherein the at least one seal comprises a third seal between the first seal and the second seal and a guiding ring maintaining a separation between the second seal and the third seal, wherein the guiding ring includes an annular axial collar that blocks the annular heel of the third seal.
 12. The slewing bearing according to claim 11, wherein the at least one seal comprises a fourth seal mounted on the first seal and a second guiding ring maintaining a separation between the fourth seal and the third seal, wherein the second guiding ring includes an annular axial collar that blocks the annular heal of the fourth seal. 